Michigan State Takes Round Two Against Broncos, 6-3

LANSING, Mich.- Michigan State held Western Michigan scoreless through the first eight innings, defeating the Broncos, 6-3, Tuesday at Cooley Stadium, home of the Lansing Lugnuts. WMU picked up an 11-10 victory over the Spartans last Wednesday in Kalamazoo.

Michigan State (24-9) scored two runs in the third, fourth and fifth and rode a solid pitching performance from RHP Tony Wieber. Wieber threw seven shutout innings, scattering seven hits and allowing just one walk.

Western Michigan (9-26) scored three runs in the top of the ninth using four hits and a walk off of reliever Trey Popp. Jimmy Martinez hit a two-run single and Grant Simotes drove in a run with a base hit. Ryan McMillin led off the inning with a pinch-hit double.

Michigan State had 10 hits, including a solo home run by Jonathan Roof in the fifth. Brandon Eckerle and Jeff Holm doubled for the Spartans.

Chris Bossenbery (1-3) took the loss for WMU, lasting just three innings and allowing four runs on seven hits. Derek Mosher and John Navage appeared out of the bullpen. Mosher gave up two runs in four innings and Navage threw a scoreless eighth.

Western Michigan had 11 total hits by nine different players. Simotes and Patrick Duncan each had two apiece. Chris Lewis had one hit and remains two hits shy of breaking WMU’s career hits record (239). WMU left nine runners on base during the game.

The Broncos travel to Bowling Green tomorrow for a 3 p.m. game, which will be considered a non-conference contest.